A very lovely project has just come to an end. A tiny powder room that had been planned for expansion for quite a long time has finally been rebuilt and completed. I want to share the story behind it with you and talk about the obstacles, challenges and limitations that came with this project, and of course the solutions we found along the way.
The Original Space
First, this was a powder room in an old historic house. The toilet had clearly been added later, because houses from that time usually did not include indoor toilets. The room had been built extremely small. For taller people it was almost impossible to sit comfortably because there simply was not enough space for their knees. The sink practically sat in your lap and using the toilet was far from a pleasant experience.
Rethinking the Layout
Luckily we were able to borrow a little space from the corridor. The key was to take just enough so that the room would become functional while still leaving the hallway comfortable. Moving plumbing is very expensive, so we decided to keep the toilet in roughly the same place. Instead of relocating it, we simply turned it in another direction so there would be more room to sit.
The sink was placed directly opposite the door. This allowed space in front of the mirror so that you could actually step back and see yourself properly if needed. It also meant that the first thing you see when entering the powder room is not the toilet. A vanity cabinet and mirror create a much nicer first impression.
Along one wall there was an electrical panel and other technical equipment that needed to remain accessible but also hidden. We decided to install cabinet doors there so the equipment could still be reached while the room looked finished and tidy. My first instinct was to create something that would visually blend into the wall instead of covering the wall with obvious cabinet doors. I imagined full height doors with decorative mouldings and hidden opening mechanisms so that at first glance it would look like a beautiful wall rather than storage.
Choosing the Materials
Once the main layout was set, it was time to start choosing the finishes. I knew this powder room had to fit the overall historic character of the house while also being interesting and a little bit bold. Spaces where you do not spend much time are perfect for this. They can carry a bit more personality because you are not constantly surrounded by them, so they do not become tiring.
Since the rest of the house already uses a lot of wallpaper, we decided with the client that wallpaper should be the first thing we choose. We looked through many options and this particular one stood out. It was not too plain but also not too dramatic. We wanted pattern and warmth while still keeping a timeless feeling. It also connected beautifully with the rest of the interior design in the house.
Since the powder room also needed a new interior door, we started looking for one as well. We ended up finding it at the hardware store. Interestingly, there was a discounted door there in a beautiful beige tone. Right away I felt that it might be exactly the color that would work perfectly with the wallpaper. I even brought the wallpaper roll with me to the store and compared it with the door and several paint samples. That was how we found the perfect shade.
Layering Texture and Detail
Once the wallpaper was decided, choosing everything else became much easier. We knew that both the toilet and the sink should have a slightly more classic design rather than something overly modern. Besides the wallpaper I also wanted to introduce more texture and coziness into the space. Wood paneling and beautiful mouldings felt like the perfect solution. Custom mouldings usually take a long time to order and we needed a solution quickly, so we found the combinations we needed in a regular hardware store.
The upper part of the wall received the wallpaper and the lower part was finished with wood paneling. The height of the paneling was determined by the sink. We did not want wallpaper directly behind the sink, so the wood provides a more durable and moisture resistant surface. The color of the paneling was selected to match the base tone of the wallpaper so the space would feel warm and slightly nostalgic, fitting the spirit of the old house.
For the floor we chose a herringbone parquet, the same type used in other rooms of the house. It is a natural light oak tone that works beautifully with the wallpaper and ties the powder room into the rest of the home.
The client was also very certain about wanting a chandelier in the ceiling. It was a bold idea and it absolutely paid off. The chandelier could have been slightly larger, but the floor to ceiling cabinet doors created some limitations. The wall lights came from IKEA, while the mirror and chandelier were great finds from Facebook Marketplace.
Working With an Old House
Of course, when renovating an old house you always have to be prepared for surprises. Crooked walls and floors, water and sewage pipes running along the walls, unexpected wiring and other hidden elements are all part of the process. We had to navigate around all of these things and constantly adjust our plans so everything would still function properly. In projects like this it is important to keep a clear vision and stay flexible. If you keep a calm head and adapt quickly to changes, the final result is almost always worth the effort.
The Final Result
In the end the project was quick and genuinely enjoyable. The planning phase took only a couple of days and the construction itself lasted less than a week. The result is a powder room that has become one of my personal favorites because of its character and playful sense of whimsy.
